Tobacco drier



away

Dec. 1, 1953 Filed July 22, 1952 G. H. SWEARINGEN 2,660,995

TOBACCO DRIER 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR GEORGE H. SWEARINGEN BY 7% F/ ATTORNEY Dec. 1, 1953 G. H. SWEARINGEN TOBACCO DRIER a Sheets-Shet 2 Filed July 22, 1952 FIG. 2.

FIG. IO.

INVENTOR' GEORGE H. SWEARINGEN Dec. 1, 1953 G. H. SWEARIBIJGEN TOBACCO DRIER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.4A.

INVENTOR Filed July 22, 1952 FIG.4.

GEQRGE H. SWEARINGEN BY c%m A ORNEY Patented Dec. 1, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TOBACCO DRIER George H. Swearingen, Louisville, Ky.

Application July 22, 195.2, Serial No. 300,2],0

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to a tobacco dryer and has for an object to provide a device of this kind which is portable and adapted to burn coke, coal or the like.

'Heretofore, in tobacco dryers of this type, it has been found necessary to provide separate and distinct means for regulating the draft to control the amount of heat emanating from the unit and a separate and distinct heat spreader. It is one object of the present invention to eliminate the means for controlling the amount of heat and to invest the heat spreader with this function of controlling the draft in addition to its conventional duty of spreading the heat. This is accomplished by providing a three-leaf hinge connection between the heat spreader and the fire chamber in conjunction with a spreader rest so that the spreader can be moved to two positions of draft or heat control and to a third position for permitting refueling of the fire chamber.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved structure in which the heat spreader can be entirely disconnected from the fire chamber and in which the fire chamber can be collapsed so that a plurality of the fire chambers can be nested one Within the other to conserve storage space, packing material and shipping space so that during the off season the fire chambers will occupy a minimum of space and cheaper transportation rates can be obtained.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved tobacco dryer of this type in which reinforcing ribs are formed on the heat spreader that these ribs provide heat conducting channels which come into operation when the spreader is in its closed position.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved device of this character in which the supports for the grate are removably mounted in the fire chamber so as to contribute to the adaptability of the fire chamber to be collapsed and have another similar fire chamber nested therein.

While the tobacco dryer of the present invention can be used wherever heat is desired, it is especially adapted for use in a tobacco barn for drying the tobacco, particularly on damp days.

In one of its broadest aspects the present invention contemplates the provision of a tobacco dryer comprising a fire chamber at least one end of which is open, a heat spreader movably mounted'on said fire chamber for occupying positions in which it closes the openend of the fire chamber or serves as a heat distributor, hinge means 2 4 on said fire chamber and said spreader for permitting movement of said spreader to its two positions, and cooperating means on said fire chamber and said spreader cooperating with said hinge for selectively retaining said 'spr'eader'in its two positions.

More specifically the present invention contemplates the provision of an improved tobacco dryer comprising a substantially cylindrical wall defining a fire chamber open at each end, said wall being formed from an integral'sheet of metal having its opposite free end portions overlapping, fastening elements for detachably securing said portions together, a plurality of angularly spaced apart retaining straps punched from said wall and disposed within the fire chamber, a plurality of grate supports of angle'iron'shapeand each having a vertical flange and a horizontal flange provided with a hole therethrough, the vertical flange of each support being longer than the height of each strap and removably disposedbetween one of said straps and the adjacent portions of said wall, a grate removably positioned on said horizontal flanges of said supports, said wall having adjacent its lower end a plurality of angularly spaced apart draft apertures, draft plates movably mounted on said wall to control said draft apertures, a heat spreader movably mounted on said wall for controlling the opening of the upper end of the fire chamber, a hinge for connecting said spreader to said wall comprising a leaf secured to said wall adjacent the upper end thereof, a second leaf hingedly connected to said first leaf and a third leaf secured to said spreader and removably hingedly connected to said second leaf, said hinge being capable of assuming three positions one of which is the closed position of the spreader, a second of which is the heat distribution position of the spreader and the third is the fully open refueling position of the spreader, and a spreader rest secured to said wall adjacent the upper end thereof and substantially diametrically opposite 'to said hinge and having a portion extending upwardly above the upper edge of said wall, the uppermost portion of said rest being of reduced width to provide an upwardly facing shoulder at each side of said reduced portion, said spreader having a slot slightly larger than the larger'portion of said rest for receiving the rest therethrough to permit the spreader to seat upon the upper end of said wall to close the upper open end thereof when said hinge is in one of its. three positions, said spreader having a second slot slightly larger than the reducedqpo'rtioniof said rest for receiving said reduced portion therethrough so that the adjacent portions of said spreader will engage said shoulders for holding said spreader in spaced apart relation to the upper edge of said wall to provide a draft through said lire chamber and to permit the escape of heat from the fire chamber and to effect complete circumferential distribution of said heat.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will be hereinafter more fully described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings in which the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved device constructed in accordance with the present invention with heat spreader in closed position;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary bottom perspective view with parts broken away and parts in section with the heat spreader in its partially open or draft and heat distributing position;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top perspective view with the heat spreader in its fully open or refueling position;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure l, with the heat spreader in its partially open position;

Figure 4A is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the path of the heat through one of the grooves of the heat spreader;

Figure 5 is a top plan view with the heat spreader removed;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view showing in full lines the position of the hinge and spreader when the spreader is closed and in phantom lines the position of these parts when the spreader is partially open;

Figure 8 is, a similar view showing the hinge and spreader in fully open position;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the hinge with one of the pintles removed; and

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on the line Ill-40 of Figure 1 showing the spreader in full lines in closed position and in phantom lines in partially open position.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, Ill

indicates a fire chamber which is formed or defined by a substantially cylindrical wall H. The wall H may be made from a substantially rectangular sheet of metal or the like and rolled into generally cylindrical form with its opposite free end portions overlapping as at l2 and I3 and detachably secured together by fastening elements, such as bolts l4 and nuts H5. The fire chamber is open at its upper and lower ends. Adjacent its upper edge the wall H at substantially diametrically opposite points has formed therein holes it; which permit the insertion of a bar therethrough to move or carry the heater from one location to another.

A leaf ll of a hinge assembly generally indicated at A is secured by fastening elements, such as bolts 18 and nuts I9 to the outer face of the wall H adjacent the upper edge thereof. The bolts l8 extend through holes 20 formed in the leaf l! and extend through and beyond holes formed in the Wall I l to receive the nuts IS. The upper edge portion of the leaf has formed thereon spaced aligned knuckles 2| which receive therebetween a knuckle 22 formed on the lower edge of a second or intermediate leaf 23 of the hinge assembly.

A pintle 24 extends through the knuckles 2| and 22 and has its opposite ends upset to prevent escape therefrom. The leaf 23 carries at its upper edge a knuckle 25 which is received between spaced apart knuckles 26 formed on the free edge of a third leaf 21. A pintle 28 is removably received by the aligned knuckles 25 and 28 so as to detachably hinge the leaves 23 and 2'! together. One end portion of the pintle 23 is bent as at 28 to form a finger engaging piece to facilitate insertion and withdrawal of the pintle into its knuckles and also to limit the insertion of the pintle. The leaf 2'! is secured to the under face of a substantially circular heat spreader 3E! adjacent the peripheral edge thereof by fastening ele ments, such as bolts 3! and nuts 32. The bolts 3| extend through holes 33 formed in the leaf 2? and radially extending slots 34 formed in the spreader to receive the nuts 32.

The spreader 39 is substantially dish-shaped and its under face is convex and its upper face is concave. The diameter of the spreader is considerably larger than that of the fire chamber so that a peripheral edge portion of the spreader having a substantial radial depth projects beyond the wall II when the spreader is in either its closed or partially closed position. The spreader has angularly spaced apart reinforcing ribs 35 which begin at the outer edge of the spreader and extend radially inwardly and terminate short of the center portion of the spreader. The ribs are formed by pressing portions of the spreader upwardly and this forms grooves 36 opening downwardly and extending outwardly through the edge of the spreader. A ring handle 31 is held captive in a suitable hole formed in the spreader adjacent the edge thereof at a point substantially diametrically opposite to the hinge assembly A.

A spreader rest 38 is secured by a bolt 32 and nut 40 to the upper edge portion of the outer face of the wall II at a point diametrically opposite to the hinge assembly. In order to preserve the continuity of the outer face of the wall H the portion of the wall which is engaged by the rest 38 is depressed to form a recess M to house the wall engaging portion of the rest. The rest may be in the form of a substantially oblong plate and extends upwardly above the upper edge of the wall I I. The uppermost portion of the rest is of reduced width as indicated at 42 to provide an upwardly facing shoulder 43 at each side of the reduced portion.

The spreader has a slot 44 formed therein and having a size slightly larger than the main body portion of the rest so that when the spreader 3D and the hinge assembly A are moved to the closed position of the spreader as shown in full lines in Figures 1, 7 and 10 of the drawings, the slot 44 will receive the main body portion of the rest and the spreader will rest upon the upper edge of the wall l l. A second slot 45 is formed in the spreader 30 in radial alignment with and radially inwardly of the first slot 44. The circumferential width of the slot 45 is slightly greater than the width of the reduced portion 42 of the rest 38 but is less than the width of the main body portion of the rest so that the areas of the spreader adjacent the slot 45 will engage the shoulders 53 of the rest when the spreader and the hinge assembly are in the partially open position illustrated in Figures 2 and 4 and in the phantom lines of Figures '7 and 10 of the drawings.

Adjacent its lower end the wall II has formed therein a pair of diametrically opposed draft apertures 46 which are controlled by draft plates or doors 4! pivotally mounted on pivot rods 48. Each plate 4'| may be made of the same material as the wall and is of approximately the same size and shape as its aperture 46. The plates may be transversely curved on substantially the same are as the wall so that when closed the draft plates will preserve the continuity of the wall The plates may'have peripheral outturned flanges 49 for reinforcing the edges thereof. Each plate 41 has a pair of vertically spaced apart aligned punched-out portions to provide straps 56 which extend into the fire chamber in spaced relation to the inner face of the late.

Above each of the draft apertures 46 the wall II i punched inwardly to form a strap 5| which extends into the fire chamber in spaced relation to the inner face of the wall.

Above the strap 5| the wall H is punched inwardly to provide a tang 52 which extends into the fire chamber and is inclined upwardly at an angle of the order of forty-five degrees to the wall The portions of the wall between the strap 5| and the tang 52 and between the strap 5| and the upper edge of the aperture 46 are undisturbed and form straps 53 and 53a. At apoint below the lower edge of the aperture 46 the wall I is punched inwardly to provide asupport 54, the upper end of which is cut away to provide an opening 55. The portion of the wall lying between the lower edge of the aperture 46 and the support 54 is undisturbed so that it forms a strap 56.

The rod 48 is positioned in the spaces between the straps 5D and the inner face of the plate 41 and the space between the strap 5| and the inner face of the wall The lower end portion of the rod 48 extends through the opening 55 and rests upon the support 54 and is disposed inwardly of the strap 56 so that the lower end portion of the rod is confined between the support 54 and the strap 56. The upper end portion of the rod 48 is disposed inwardly of the strap 53 and rearwardly of the tang 52 so that it is held captive between the tang 52, the strap 53; and the strap 5|. The bearing washer 51 surrounds the rod 48 adjacent its lower end and rests upon the lower edge of the aperture 46. The tang 52 and the support 54 cooperate to prevent vertical movement of the rod 48, the straps 53, 53a and 56 prevent displacement of the rod outwardly and the strap 5| and support 54 prevent displacement of the rod inwardly; The straps 50 on the draft plate 46. provide for the pivotal support of the plate on the rod and the washer 51 provides a bearing surface for engaging the lower edge ofthe plate and supporting the plate during it pivotal movement about the rod and in its selected position of rest. 7 a

A grate 58 is supported within the fire chamber I0 above the draft apertures 46. In order'to support the grate, the wall just above the draft apertures 46 carries a plurality of angula'rly spaced apart straps 59 which are formed by punching a portion of the wall inwardly so that the straps 59 extend into the fire chamber-in spaced relation to the inner face of the wall. The space between each strap 59 and the wall ll removably receives the vertical flange 60 of a grate support, generally indicated at 6|, which is of angle iron shape in cross section and also comprises a horizontal flange 62. The height of the vertical flange 60 is greater than that of the strap 59 so that the strap will bridge the opening 63 made in the wall I in forming the strap 59 and will frictionally engage the area of the wall adjacent toth e opening 53 when the horizontal flange rests upon the upper edge of the strap to firmly retain the support 6| in proper position The horizontal flange 62 of the grate support has a hole 54 through which a wire or the like may be inserted for holding the grate supports together while being shipped. An opening 58a is formed in the wall I I through which the shank of the'grate extends for shaking the grate. The grate 58 may be designed for the use of chestnut size coke so that unburned coke will not fall through.

In the use of the device, the spreader 30 is moved to its partially open position as shown in full lines in Figures 2 and 4, and as shown in phantom lines in Figures 7 and 10, of the drawings. It will be noted that in this position of the spreader the small slot of the spreader will receive the reduced portion of the rest 38 and the portions of the spreader adjacent to the slot 45 will rest uponthe shoulders 43 of the rest 38. The intermediate leaf 23 of the hinge assembly will be held firmly against and parallel to the wall H of the fire chamber H] which acts as a stop and correctly positions the spreaderso that the slot 45 registers with the rest 38. In this position, the under face of the spreader will be spaced above the upper edge of the wall H to provide a space 61 therebetween to permit ample combustion of the fuel and escape of heat from the fire chamber as indicated by the arrows 68 in Figures 2 and 4.

If it is desired to slow downor completely stop combustion in the fire chamber, the spreader will be moved by the ring handle 31 to its closed position as illustrated in full lines in Figures 1, 4A,

a '7 and 10. This is accomplished by simply raising a plurality of small passageways between the bottom of the grooves and the adjacent portion of the upper edge of the fire chamber wall so that a small amount of heat will travel along the paths indicated by arrows 69 in Figure 4A of the drawings. During this closing movement of the spreader the intermediate leaf 23 will be moved to a position at almost ninety degrees to 'the fire chamber wall as shown in full lines in Figure 7 of the drawings. It will be noted that the spreader 30 in cooperation with the draft doors 4! will serve as a draft control as well as a distributor for. the heat emanating from the fire chamber.

. When it is desiredto refuel the tobacco dryer, the spreader will be raised by the ring handle to clear the rest 38 and then swung in the conventional manner of a hinged lid to the position illustrated in Figures 3 and 8 of the drawings. The swinging movement of the spreader to its open position will be arrested by the engagement of the lowermost part of the edge of the spreader with the outer face of the wall II. In this position of the spreader the intermediate leaf 23 will be moved to a position slightly less than ninety degrees to the fire chamber wall. Free access may then be had to the interior of the fire chamber for refueling, cleaning, repairing, or the like. The draft doors 4'! may be swung on their pivot rods '48 to any desired position through 360". The extreme positions of the doors which are substantially 180 apart are illustrated in Figure of the drawings.

For the purpose of shipping or storing, the tobacco dryer may be disassembled by withdrawing' the pintle 28 from the knuckles 25 and 26 of the leaves 23 and 27 to permit the complete removal of the spreader from the wall II. The grate will be removed and the grate support 5! withdrawn from the straps 59. The bolts 14 and nuts l5 will then be removed to permit spreading of the wall E I so that a plurality of the walls H may be nested one within another to conserve space. The spreaders may also be nested.

When setting up the tobacco dryer for use, the reverse of the procedure described above may be followed. The draft doors, the hinge leaves and the spreader rest may be mounted on the wall at the factory. The slots 34 formed in the spreader 36 will permit adjustment of the spreader with respect to the hinge assembly and the spreader rest 38 so that the lack of exact precision in locating the slots 44 and 45 may be compensated for.

It will be noted from the above that the present invention contemplates the provision of a tobacco dryer comprising a substantially cylindrical wall defining a fire chamber open at top and bottom and having its free end portions detachably secured together, a plurality of grate supports removably mounted within said fire chamber, a grate removably mounted on said supports, said wall having a plurality of angularly spaced apart draft apertures positioned below said grate, a draft door for controlling each of said apertures and adjustably mounted on said wall, a combined draft control and heat spreader movably mounted on said wall for movement to a masking position of the opening at the top of the fire chamber, an Unmasking of the opening at the top of said fire chamber and a completely open refueling position, a hinge assembly comprising a leaf secured to said wall, a second leaf hingedly connected to said first leaf, and a third leaf secured to said spreader and removably hingedly connected to said second leaf, said hinge assembly being capable of assuming three positions corresponding to said three positions of said spreader, and cooperating means on said wall and on said spreader for selectively retaining said spreader in its three positions in cooperation with said hinge assembly.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction and design of the above specifically described embodiment of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof, such changes and modifications being restricted only by the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is:

l. A tobacco dryer comprising a wall defining a fire chamber at least one end of which is open, a heat spreader mounted on said wall for movement to a masking position of said opening, an unmasking position of said opening and a completely open refueling position, hinge means between said wall and spreader for permitting said movement of the spreader to its three positions and comprising a leaf secured to said wall, a second leaf secured to said spreader and an intermediate leaf pivotally connected to each of the other leaves, and a spreader rest on said wall and having an enlarged main body portion and a reduced portion, said spreader having a large slot cooperating with the main body portion of said rest to retain said spreader in its masking position in cooperation with said hinge means and a small slot cooperating with the reduced ortion of said rest to retain said spreader in its unmasking position in cooperation with said hinge means.

2. A tobacco dryer comprising a wall defining a fire chamber at least one end of which is open, a heat spreader mounted on said Wall for movement to a masking position of said opening, an Unmasking position of said opening and a completely open refueling position, hinge means between said wall and spreader for permitting said movement of the spreader to its three positions and comprising a leaf secured to said wall, a second leaf secured to said spreader and an intermediate leaf pivotally connected to each of the other leaves, and a spreader rest on said wall and having an enlarged main body portion and a reduced portion, said spreader having a large slot cooperating with the main body portion of said rest to retain said spreader in its masking position in cooperation with said hinge means and a small slot cooperating with the reduced portion of said rest to retain said spreader in its unmasking position in cooperation with said hinge means, means for adjustably securing said second leaf to said spreader and comprising fastening elements extending through said spreader and said second leaf, said spreader having elongated slots therein for adjustably receiving said fastening elements so that said spreader can be adjusted with respect to said rest to compensate for any lack of precision in locating the slots in said spreader.

GEORGE H. SWEARINGEN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 931,557 Barney Aug. 17, 1909 1,232,276 Gillett July 3, 1917 1,679,359 Jessen Aug. 7, 1918 1,848,588 Upright et al. Mar. 8, 1932 2,124,328 Yoshinaka July 19, 1938 2,186,173 Owens Jan. 9, 1940 2,197,297 Caudill Apr. 16, 1940 

